2005Related ecosystem
KoboToolbox begins independently
Phuong Pham and Patrick Vinck founded KoboToolbox before ODK began. Kobo is included here as a related ecosystem milestone, not as an ODK project.
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What Is ODK (Open Data Kit)? Uses, Cost & Setup
ODK originally stood for Open Data Kit. Today, ODK is an open-source platform for building forms, collecting data offline, and managing submissions. A typical project uses ODK Collect on Android devices, XLSForm to design questionnaires, and ODK Central to manage forms and data.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-22.
ODK at a glance
| Term | Meaning | Role in data collection |
|---|---|---|
| ODK | The current name of the open-source platform originally called Open Data Kit | Connects form design, field collection, and data management |
| ODK Collect | The Android data collection app | Downloads forms, works offline, and sends completed submissions |
| ODK Central | The server application | Manages projects, users, forms, submissions, and exports |
| XLSForm | The spreadsheet standard used to design many ODK forms | Defines questions, choices, calculations, validation, and skip logic |
ODK is widely used in research, public health, humanitarian work, and monitoring and evaluation.
ODK and KoboToolbox are independent projects that share XLSForm and ODK XForms standards. KoboCollect is maintained as a fork of ODK Collect, but KoboToolbox was founded separately before ODK began.
If you have ever filled in a household survey on an Android phone in a place with no signal, there is a good chance ODK was underneath it.
What are the parts of ODK?
ODK is three pieces that work together:
- ODK Collect — the Android app enumerators use. It downloads forms, works fully offline, captures GPS, photos, and audio, and sends finished submissions when a connection appears.
- ODK Central — the server. It stores forms and submissions, manages projects and app users, and exposes data as CSV exports and a live OData feed. See ODK Central basics for how projects, forms, and users fit together.
- XLSForm — the spreadsheet format surveys are written in: one row per question, with logic in columns. What is XLSForm covers it in depth.
The flow is simple: design an XLSForm, publish it to an ODK Central server, collect with ODK Collect, and export the data for analysis.
What is an ODK form?
An ODK form is a digital questionnaire that can include questions, calculations, validation rules, skip logic, media, GPS, and multiple languages. Most ODK forms are designed as XLSForms in Excel or Google Sheets, then published to Central for collection in ODK Collect or a web form.
The official ODK forms guide explains the supported form workflow. To build and publish one, follow How do I create my first ODK form?.
What is an ODK server?
An ODK server is an ODK Central installation that stores forms and submissions, manages projects and users, and connects field devices to data exports. Teams can self-host Central or use managed ODK server hosting when they do not want to maintain the server themselves.
Who built ODK, and how did it develop?
ODK was created by a University of Washington team, with incubation, funding, and technical support from Google. ODK was not built solely by Google and is not a Google product today.
- 2008ODK history
ODK begins at Google Seattle
University of Washington professor Gaetano Borriello began ODK as a Google sabbatical project in Seattle.
- 2009ODK history
Early ODK tools become public
The University of Washington credits Yaw Anokwa, Carl Hartung, Waylon Brunette, and Gaetano Borriello with building the early suite.
- 2010ODK history
The original suite is formally documented
The ICTD paper describes Collect, Aggregate, Voice, and Build, credits Clint Tseng and Adam Lerer among the authors, and records continuing Google support.
- 2019ODK history
ODK 2 becomes ODK-X
The separate experimental suite was renamed ODK-X so its name would not imply that it replaced ODK.
- 2020ODK history
ODK Central replaces Aggregate for new projects
ODK Central 1.0 became the actively developed server for new projects while the communities clarified the separation between ODK and ODK-X.
- TodayRelated ecosystem
ODK and Kobo remain separate projects sharing standards
Kobo supports XLSForm and ODK XForms, and KoboCollect is maintained as a fork of ODK Collect. The projects remain independently governed.
Who uses ODK?
ODK runs surveys for research institutes, ministries of health, UN agencies, and NGOs across thousands of projects — household surveys, clinical studies, agricultural censuses, and monitoring and evaluation (MEAL) programs. It dominates this space for three reasons:
- Offline-first. Fieldwork happens where connectivity doesn't. Collect stores everything on-device and syncs later.
- Open standard. XLSForms are portable across ODK, KoboToolbox, and SurveyCTO — no vendor lock-in. The 2026 tool comparison shows the landscape.
- Data ownership. You can run the server yourself, which matters for ethics boards, donors, and data-residency rules.
Is ODK free?
The software is entirely free and open-source — no license fees, user limits, or per-submission charges. What costs money is hosting ODK Central: roughly $10–40/month self-hosted on a VPS (plus real admin time), $79/month managed, or $199+/month on ODK Cloud. The ODK hosting cost breakdown compares all three honestly.
Note:
"ODK is free" and "running ODK is free" are different claims. The first is true; the second ignores the server and the person who maintains it.
How do I start with ODK?
The fastest path from zero to collecting data:
- Get an ODK Central server. Self-host if you have Linux skills (hosting guide), or use SurveyLoopr; deployment typically takes about 2–5 minutes, but image availability and DNS can take longer.
- Build your first XLSForm. Write the spreadsheet by hand, or describe your survey in plain language and let LooprAI generate a validated form. If you already have a workbook, check it locally with the XLSForm validator before editing or publishing it.
- Connect ODK Collect. Install the app, scan your project's QR code, and run a test interview — covered in setting up ODK Collect.
- Enable the audit log before real fieldwork. It records timing and GPS per interview and cannot be added retroactively.
ODK vs the alternatives
ODK sits at the "control and openness" end of the spectrum. KoboToolbox is a separate project with a free hosted server for nonprofits; SurveyCTO is the polished commercial cousin. The comparisons are covered head-to-head in ODK vs KoboToolbox, ODK vs SurveyCTO, ODK vs Google Forms, and the best ODK alternatives.
The bottom line
ODK is the open, offline-first standard for field data collection: free software, a portable form format, and your data on a server you control. The only real decision is who runs that server — and that is a budget question, not a technology one.
Explore ODK hostingNext: ODK Central basics →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ODK mean?
ODK originally stood for Open Data Kit. Today, ODK is the name of an open-source data collection platform that uses ODK Collect for Android fieldwork, XLSForm for survey design, and ODK Central for forms and submissions.
What is an ODK form?
An ODK form is a digital questionnaire that supports validation, skip logic, calculations, media, GPS, and multiple languages. Most ODK forms are designed as XLSForms, published through ODK Central, and completed with ODK Collect or a web form.
What is ODK used for?
ODK is used to collect survey data on mobile devices in the field, offline, and sync it to a central server. Research institutes, health ministries, UN agencies, and NGOs use it for household surveys, clinical studies, censuses, and monitoring and evaluation programs.
Is ODK really free?
The ODK software — Collect, Central, and the XLSForm standard — is completely free and open-source with no user or submission limits. You only pay for hosting the server: from about $10/month self-hosted, $79/month managed, or $199/month on ODK Cloud.
What is the difference between ODK Collect and ODK Central?
ODK Collect is the Android app enumerators use to fill in forms offline. ODK Central is the server that stores forms and submissions, manages users, and exports data. Collect runs on phones in the field; Central runs on a web server.
Does ODK work offline?
Yes. Offline collection is ODK's core design: forms, choice lists, and finished interviews are stored on the device, and submissions sync automatically when a connection becomes available. Enumerators can work for days or weeks without any signal.
Who built ODK?
ODK was built by a University of Washington team led by Gaetano Borriello, with key early contributions from Yaw Anokwa, Carl Hartung, Waylon Brunette, Clint Tseng, and Adam Lerer. Google incubated and supported the work, but ODK is not a Google product today.
Did Google create ODK?
Google helped incubate ODK but did not create it alone. Gaetano Borriello began ODK during a Google sabbatical, while a University of Washington team designed and built the early tools. Google supplied funding and technical support; ODK is independently governed today.
When was ODK first released?
ODK began in 2008, and the University of Washington publicly documented early tools in 2009. The original suite's research paper appeared in 2010. Because ODK developed as a research project rather than a single product launch, 2008–2009 is the clearest origin window.
How does KoboToolbox relate to ODK?
KoboToolbox and ODK are separate projects that share XLSForm and ODK XForms standards. KoboToolbox was founded independently in 2005, before ODK began, while KoboCollect is maintained as a fork of ODK Collect. The projects have separate organizations and product decisions.
Compare ODK and KoboToolbox.What do I need to run ODK?
Three things: an ODK Central server (self-hosted or managed), a form written in XLSForm, and the free ODK Collect app on an Android device. SurveyLoopr deployment typically takes about 2–5 minutes, but image availability and DNS can take longer; an AI builder can generate the XLSForm.
Is XLSForm the same as ODK?
No. XLSForm is the spreadsheet format used to write many ODK forms. ODK is the broader data collection system: Collect runs the form on Android devices, Central hosts the project, and XLSForm defines the questionnaire.
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Build the form first. Add hosting when you need it.
Start free with LooprAI, then deploy a managed ODK Central server or run DataSnap checks when your project is ready.
Automation handles the mechanical work.
Researchers decide what the evidence means.